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I am in my sixties and have been teaching a class of medically fragile( think gtubes/ traches/O2, pulse oximeters, etc. , and profoundly disabled students for 33years. Tons of lifting, positioning, changing, moving from different equipment ( wheelchairs, prone standers, sidelyers, adaptive seating). And yes I am doing it all, everyday, many times per day with my staff. The kids aren’t all small( 5-11 years old) 40 to over 100 lbs.
If I can do this at my age, you can do an active job too. Just set your mind to it, and move forward.😊
Worked an assembly line job during COVID when my teaching job and benefits were cut. I was 54 at the time and in good shape…for a 54 year old. That job kicked my butt. At the end of the summer I decided working as a part-time teacher was better than a full-time assembly worker. No, thank you, but I’m way too old for that stuff. If I leave teaching, I’ll be driving a desk.
I think like others have said, it really depends on how old you are and how your health is. Teaching is already a pretty physically demanding job sometimes, I guess more if you are an elementary school teacher but I wouldn't think of it as a purely non-physical job. It all depends on how you feel in your body and for your age!
I can’t agree more. I am a GenEd 3rd grade teacher. My partner teacher & I compare our miles/steps at the end of everyday. We generally have stood 8 hours/5 miles/10k+ steps before 3 pm. I’m walking daily so I don’t lose my edge before August.
You might underestimate how physically challenging teaching can be - depending on your class. Standing on your feet for hours, distributing materials, escorting students up and down stairs, stacks of copies, books, lugging things back and forth (to and from home). The mental challenges might be more tiring as a teacher as well. It might not be as bad as you think.
Not to mention limited bathroom access
Hit the gym !
I understand the hesitation, but it's something you can make progress with just like you would with the skills you need. If you discover mobility issues, you can work on them. Strength might be a factor, but you'll build it over time. Same with the endurance needed to do a long, physical day. Think of it as a sport. People take up running or cycling in their 30s, 40s, 50s etc all the time. They struggle when they start out, but it gets easier the more they do it.
I would like to think I could make the transition. I feel like I'm kind of handy. However, I would probably hate a physical job.
As mentally taxing as teaching has gotten, I believe physically taxing would be a good change. And, it would be great for both your physical and mental health.